Process for turning wood heels



Nov. 8, 1949 J. P. QUIRK ET AL PROCESS FOR TURNING WOOD HEELS V 2 heets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11 1947 FIG. 2

lNVENTOR JUSTiN P. QUIRK EUDWIG G-P. HAFNER ORNEY Nov. 8, 1949 .1. P. QUIRK ET AL 2,487,572

PROCESS FOR TURNING WOOD HEELS Filed 001' 11,1947 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 'JUSTIN P QUIRK LUDWIG GP. HAFNER ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 8, 1949 PROCESS FOR TURNING WOOD HEELS Justin P. Quirk, St. Louis County, and Ludwig G. P. Hafner', St. Louis, Mo., assignors to United Wood Heel Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware.

".1 Application October 11, 1947, Serial No. 779,400

4 Claims.

i This invention relates to method for turning wood heels.

-For :a period of about three-quarters of a century, wood heels have been turned by basically the same method and machine. See patent to Henderson and Paine, No. 220,920, issued October 3, 1879. A wood heel'is secured in a jack and theblank is moved first into one high-speed rotating cutter to form the heel from one breast edge to the back of the heel, and then the blank is moved into another cutter to form the heel from the other breast edge to a meeting place on the back of the heel with the first cut. Cams are provided so that the blank is given vertical movement and tilting movement as the cutting progresses. The cutters are rotated in opposite directions to each other, whilethe blank is retated in the one direction when engaging one cutter, and the opposite direction when engaging the other cutter, and is rotated in each instance in the same direction of rotation as the cutter with which it is engaged. Thus, the surface of worker blank to be cut is movedagainst the direction of the cutter blade. Thisis commonly known as conventional cutting.

Many suggestions have been made to avoid the use of two cutters, since it results in a perceptible back line at the point of meeting of the cuts of the two cutters, and this back line must be removed, as by a sanding operation, to provide a commercially acceptable heel. However, none of these suggestions have been sufliciently satisfactory to meet with any substantial commercial usage.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a method for completely turning a wood heel by a single complete revolution of the blank against the cutter.

This has been accomplished essentially by rotating the blank in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cutter, known in the woodworking industry as back cutting, the rotation of the blank being accomplished by an unyielding pressure, while giving the heel blank shaping movements comprising horizontal movement inward and from the cutter (shifting movement), vertical and tiltin movement.

The applicants are aware that back cutting has been suggested, but so far as is known has never been employed to turn a heel with one, only, revolution of the blank while imparting to the blank heel the forming movements, shifting, vertical and tilting, which are essential in formingcomme'rcial wood heels.

lAnobject of the invention, stated in more'general terms, is to provide a method whereby heels may be turned more efiiciently, more perfectly and to a greater number of patterns. By employing the method, machines can be provided which will eliminate the necessity for the skill required of operators employing the present commercial method. Higher production per man hour can be obtained. A subsequent sanding operation is unnecessary. Intricate designs can be produced with more facility and forms can be completely executed which formerly required additional operations.

All of these advantages and others will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a cutter, heel blank support and some mechanism in elevation,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 taken at a point removed from Fig. 1,

Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive are diagrammatic views showing phases progressively in a cycle of operation,

Fig. 10 is an isometric view showing a typical heel blank,

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of a turned heel of the Cuban type illustrated as being turned in Figs. 3 to 9, and

Fig. 12 is a view of a flat back Louis heel which may be turned by the present method.

In practicing the method, a conventional highspeed cutter I5 is employed. This cutter is mounted on a spindle l6 and includes a pair of blades l'l.

'A wood heel blank A is mounted in a jack which has a seat i8 secured to and turning with a spindle IS. The construction should be such that the heel seat l8 and preferably the spindle 19 will have a vertical-movement as indicated by arrows '(Fig. 1) and is mounted in such a manner that it can be moved in and out toward the cutter l5.

Means should be provided to give a tilting movement to the jack and therefore the blank A. As specifically shown, the shaft i9 is journalled in a boss 20 of a frame or cradle which has trunnions 2| so that the rocking movement pivots along a line B. Preferably the pivot line is normal to the axis C of the heel blank (which as shown coincides with the axis of the shaft l9) at the seat of the heel on the heel blank. It has been found that this pivot point gives a more satisfactory range of adjustment than any other although it may be understood that this pivot point may be varied and in a particular machine it may be adjustable.

Mechanisms may be provided so that the supporting devices including the seat I8 With the blank A may be moved in and out toward and away from the cutter H as is also shown by arrows in Fig. 1.

As specifically shown, the shaft I9 is turned by means of a worm 22 which drives a wheel 23 secured to the shaft l9.

It may be understood, therefore, that in practicing the method, a high-speed rotating cutter is provided, together with means for holding a wood heel blank A, for rotating it :along its axis C, for tilting the wood heel blank on any selected axis B, for moving it in and out toward the cutter l5 and for varying its vertical position. Means are provided for rotating the heel about the axis C (as exemplified by the worm 22 and wheel 23) which are such as to provide a substantially unyielding force. That is to say, the force should be applied in such a manner that it will not yield under normal operation. Thus, it should not allow for any appreciable back lashing or chattering movement. It is to be understood, of course, that means other than a worm and wheel may be employed for this purpose and that those specific devices are illustrated since they constitute well known apparatus for securing this result.

In practicing the present method, the rotation of the blank A about its axis C, and as specifically shown by the spindle I9, is in a direction opposite to that of the cutter l5. Thus, if the cutter is operating in .a clockwise direction, as shown, the blank A will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, thus resulting in what is known as back cutting in the woodworking industry. The surface of the work to be cut, therefore, moves in the same direction as the edge of the cutter blade engaging that surface.

In practice, the cutter will be given :a constant rotation at a high speed; the Work or blank A will be rotated just one revolution from start to stop for each heel processed.

Figs. 3 to 9 illustrate progressive phases in a single cycle. Fig. 3 represents the loading phase; the blank A is in position for the start of rotation.

Fig. 4 illustrates the work after cutting has started. The blank has been moving inwardly toward the cutter which first engages the work along a breast edge D and preferably first at the upper corner D of the breast edge. By tilting the work, the edge may be rounded as shown at D2, Figs. 11 and 12. This edge rounding is required in most commercial heels and is now accomplished by a second or subsequent operation. With the present method, that operation can be performed as a part of the turning.

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 show positions and conditions of thework during subsequent points or phases of the operation.

Fig. 8 shows the position of the work after the completion of the cutting and just before the work has been returned to its original and unloading position. The heel has been turned completely and the second breast edge has been rounded by a tilting movement as described in connection with the breast edge D.

In Fig. 9 the work has been returned to its original position and is ready for unloading.

During the turning of the heel and while it has been rotated on the axis C it has been given the necessary vertical movements in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 1 and has been given tilting movements about the axis B to give the proper shaping for the heel, in addition to those specifically described for rounding the corners. It has been given in and out movement, not only for bringing the blank into proper cutting relationship with the cutter, but also to shape the contour of the heel.

Fig. 10 illustrates a heel blank such as is used now in commercial practice for the production of wood heels and the same as that which is used in the present method. It is to be understood, of course, that the particular dimensions and proportions of this blank are dependent upon the heel to be cut, but, the general shape is usually as shown. These heel blanks are cut from a longitudinal timber along the faces E and F. Thus the blank has a bottom face G and a top face H parallel to each other, and side faces I parallel to each other. The faces E and F ordinarily will be oblique to the faces G and H. The

. grain of the wood is as shown in Fig. 10 and remains generally parallel to the faces 6, H and I. There is nothing novel, of course, about the blank but its peculiar construction and the grain of the wood is explained because it is that grain which has presented the diiiiculties in the past.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the process completely turns a wood heel in a single continuous operation. The wood heel blank is rotated about its axis for one revolution, by such continuing and unyielding pressure as will prevent any back lash or chattering. During the single rotation of the wood heel blank it is brought into engagement with a high speed cutter, and while it is in engagement, heel shaping movements are imparted to the blank, these heel shaping movements including: rocking the blank on an axis which is normal to the axis of rotation, raising and lowering the blank yertically with respect to the cutter, and additional shifting of the blank to give a selected contour to the heel. The cutting starts at one breast edge or corner of the heel and continues along one side, around the back and along the other side of the heel to the breast edge opposite to that at which the cutting started.

Having described the necessary movements, it is possible for those skilled in the art to provide machines of an infinite number of designs which will be capable of imparting the movements and of imparting the necessary unyielding pressure to the rotation of the blank. A machine capable of performing the method, and actually used to produce commercial heels, is disclosed in the application of these applicants, Serial No. 728,430, filed February 14, 1947. Nevertheless, the machine .of that application was not described therein as intended to operate according to this method and it must be controlled according to the present process to give one only complete revolution of the heel blank in a direction opposite to that of the cutter rather than according to the method or methods of operation specifically described in that application. There are other machines in the art capable of performing the process after being modified to follow the present method or process.

Fig. 11 illustrates a turned shoe heel, know-n as a Cuban type, in completed form as it has been turned by theprocess, as specifically illustrated in the preceding figures and as described above. A shoe heel of thisdesign has a plane breast .E which may be the breast E of the shoe blank.

Fig. 12 illustrates a shoe heel of the Louis type with a flat back J. Heels of the Louis type have a curved breast K which is usually formed in the heel blank before the turning operation. With this preliminary operation to form the curved breast K in the heel blank, the heel as shown in Fig. 12 may be formed by the present process with a single operation. The rounding of the breast corner D2 is formed essentially by tilting the blank as above described. The flat back J is formed by tilting during the turning operation. It will be understood, of course, that shoe heels after turning will be graded by sawing or cutting off the end portion of the heel at the face H in a manner which is well understood and is in accordance with the present commercial practices.

Shoe heels of current style have a breast such as E in the Cuban heel, Fig. 11, or the breast K in the Louis heel, Fig. 12. Such heels are preferably turned from breast edge to breast edge. In the past there have been current styles of heels, and doubtless in the future there will be others, which do not have a breast surface but which are turned all the way around. These may have a cross section which is circular, elliptical or uniform. Those heels could not be turned by a single operation of the conventional method (using the two cutters and a separate turning against each cutter). They can be effectively turned by a single operation in the present process. Here, however, the cutting need not commence at any particular place in the periphery of the heel.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that the invention accomplishes its objects and has inherently the advantages heretofore mentioned. Various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of this invention. Means and apparatus varying widely in design can be used for practicing the invention. Various improvements and additions may be made while retaining the process as a Whole.

What is claimed is:

1. The process of completely turning a wood heel in a single continuous operation which includes rigidly clamping a wood heel blank, rotating said clamped blank for one revolution about a longitudinal axis of the blank by a continuous and unyielding pressure, relatively shifting the blank and a continuously operating cutter while the cutter is rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the blank, controlling the position of the heel blank relative to the cutter during the cutting operation so that a cut is made from one breast corner to the other, and relatively shifting the longitudinal axis of the blank to provide a varying contour to the heel.

2. The process of completely turning a Wood heel in a single continuous operation which includes rigidly clamping a wood heel blank, rotating said clamped blank for one revolution about a longitudinal axis of the blank by a continuous and unyielding pressure, relatively shifting the blank and a continuously operating out-- ter while the cutter is rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the blank, controlling the position of the heel blank relative to the cutter during the cutting operation so that a cut is made from one breast corner to the other, and relatively shifting the blank by rocking the blank on an axis normal to the aforesaid axis of the blank, to provide a varying contour to the heel.

3. The process of completely turning a Wood heel in a single continuous operation which includes rigidly clamping a wood heel blank, rotating said clamped blank for one revolution about a longitudinal axis of the blank by a continuous and unyielding pressure, relatively shifting the blank and a continuously operating cut ter while the cutter is rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the blank, controlling the position of the heel blank relative to the cutter during the cutting operation so that a cut is made from one breast corner to the other, and relatively shifting the blank by raising and lowering the blank generally along its axis, to provide a varying contour to the heel.

4. The process of completely turning a wood heel in a single continuous operation which includes rigidly clamping a Wood heel blank, rotating said clamped blank for one revolution about a longitudinal axis of the blank by a continuous and unyielding pressure, relatively shifting the blank and a continuously operating outter while the cutter is rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the blank, controlling the position of the heel blank relative to the cutter during the cutting operation so that a cut is made from one breast corner to the other, and relatively shifting the blank by rocking the blank on an axis normal to the aforesaid axis of the blank and raising and lowering the blank generally along its axis, to provide a varying contour to the heel.

JUSTIN P. QUIRK. LUDWIG G. P. HAFNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 583,648 Henderson June 1, 1897 1,595,976 Hauck Aug. 10, 1926 1,709,306 Burger Apr. 16, 1929 1,710,923 Dozier Apr. 30, 1929 2,038,534 Bray Apr. 28, 1936 2,076,123 Gialdini Apr. 6, 1937 2,311,904 Hoza Feb. 23, 1943 

